18978/Got one, why not the other

Got one, why not the other
Date of Scene:	02 September 2024
Location:	Stark Tower: Workshop
Synopsis:	A suit of blue armor joins the collection, but this one is Pepper's!
Cast of Characters:	Tony Stark, Pepper Potts

---

Tony Stark has posed:
    Tony's been in his workshop most of the day, which really isn't much of a surprise considering that sometimes he vanishes into it for days. Though those are getting less common now that he's with Pepper. Actually having to think about someone else's feelings is making him at least a little less of a workaholic hermit.

    Not that he doesn't have his days, of course, usually when a solution just won't come easily.

    Today was a more normal person's day. He was actually up for breakfast, in fact making eggs and bagels so he and Pepper could have a little time before she had to do CEO things. When she returned he was nowhere to be seen, but there was a note stuck to the fridge with a magnet that just said 'workshop'. So he's probably in the building, and not off who knows where.

    The more unusual aspect of the day comes shortly after she's gotten home, as HOMER says "Miss Potts, Mister Stark requests that you join him in the workshop."

Pepper Potts has posed:
Pepper absolutely has noticed the changes, slow but present, as time passes. It's seemed a little more accelerated since the 'incident', and she's not completely averse to it all, even if there's a little thought hanging in the back of her brain that ultimately it might make the love of her life restless?

Entering the Penthouse after leaving the office, the redhead removes her pumps and sets them next to the door. The business suit jacket is removed as she pads across the expanse of living area, hanging lightly on the back of the couch to be sent to the dry cleaners later, with the rest of their laundry. The greeting from HOMER is something she is also getting used to; no more hunting Tony down and wondering where he was. The assumption has always been 'workshop' or 'flying/testing a new iteration of the suit'. Always two good guesses.

"Thank you, HOMER."

With a quick stop to the refrigerator for a couple of bottled waters, one for her, one for him, Pepper makes her way down the stairs to the workshop, his handwritten note set in her pocket for keeping. Once the passcode is keyed in, Pepper steps in and immediately makes her way towards Tony, the water in one hand, and a quick kiss of greeting offered.

"What have you got?" Something, right? In a presentation form, perhaps?

Tony Stark has posed:
    Tony is actually working on one of the suits, so he's in very basic clothes... white tank top that shows the glow of his arc reactor, sweatpants and sneakers, as well as a welding mask. When he hears the door chime he shuts off the welder before he can burn anyone's vision out. Flipping up the mask he smiles and waves her over, accepting both kiss and water as they are offered, but careful not to hug as he's somewhat dirty and she has nice clothes on.

    "Well, first off I wanted to let you know that I have a request in with T'Challa for our little trip to Wakanda's medical facilities. Apparently he's incommunicado as the moment, so might be a few days." He sits on the edge of the worktable the armor is laid out on, looking over at her for a moment, as if gathering his thoughts.

    "I've been thinking about the talk we had a few days ago, about you needing even more protection since you're now both CEO and someone I would give just about anything to protect, which makes you leverage against me if someone managed to snatch you." He opens the bottle and takes a drink and puts it aside, then pauses, as if trying to decide the best way to continue.

Pepper Potts has posed:
Damn, always handsome.

Once the proffered water is taken, and the kiss delivered, a little lingeringly, she leans against a clean section of table with a hip, and opens her own water bottle.

"Okay," she begins. "I'll just avoid lying in any high level magnetic fields, or any x-rays." Which, of course, means that all travel will be on the private jet to avoid TSA. (Though that's a given, regardless.) Pepper takes a swallow, and at Tony's thoughtful expression, her brows rise, concern sinking into her tones, "What is it?"

That 'what it is' is given voice soon after, and she sets the water bottle down behind her, wiping her fingers against each other to wipe off what little condensation there was. "I added to the detail," she confirms. "You still need Rhodey. You're the much larger target." Just in case he has ideas...

Tony Stark has posed:
    "Oh, I know. Too many people want to make a name for themselves by taking out a big name hero. I just made myself more of a target by announcing that I was Iron Man." He gives a little half-grin and shrugs. "Sometimes my ego overrides my good sense, what can I say?"

    He gestures as if to wave that topic away and continues "Anyway, no, I wasn't thinking of assigning Rhodey to you or anything like that. I had a somewhat more direct thought on the matter. Since you have one of these.." he taps his arc reactor.

    "why not make you one of those?" and he points over towards the armor wall.

Pepper Potts has posed:
Pepper smiles affectionately, fondly, her expression soft. "You made yourself a target long before that. But yes, you doubled down on the Iron Man thing." Which she hadn't approved of; she'd fully supported Phil's take on the matter then.

"Good, because no matter how much I like him, you //need// him." No argument there, then! Always a good start to the evening!

Her gaze follows Tony's pointing at the gesture; she knows what's there, but she can't help herself. And there, in their cases, each iteration of the suit, one after the other, built with purpose at the time. One could almost see what need was filled with each, if they looked and studied. Shaking her head, Pepper's answering before she can formulate the word. "Oh no, Tony. I couldn't... I've never... How could I even..." Each thought begins and ends in pieces as she looks back at him.

Tony Stark has posed:
    Tony chuckles, "I'm fairly sure you could, especially since you'd have an experienced tutor." He taps his own chest again. "I'm not necessarily suggesting you suit up and join the Avengers or anything, but something you could use in an emergency wouldn't be a bad thing. As I recall we had discussed something like an escape pod that just got you out of the trouble area but really, it's always better to have more control over where you're going and what you're doing."

    "To put it another way, how would you feel if you got rescued from a situation because you left Happy and other assorted guards behind while you made it to safety. If we make it an armor, you can decide if it's time to leave or not. And even if you don't want it armed, metal fists are very effective punching someone. Basically, it gives you options instead of making the decision for you."

Pepper Potts has posed:
"Noo.." definitely not suiting up to join the Avengers. Nothing like that! She's just.. just..

The reasoning behind it is logical, it is. Tony's apparently thought about it a lot. A whole lot, and with the perceived increasing need for security, for safety? Why not? Pepper exhales in a chuff; she's not always logical, however, and Tony knows it. She'll argue in the face of it at times. "How? I'm never somewhere where I couldn't.. but.. Tony.." She's stuttering again, her head shaking. But, those green eyes say it all. She //knows// he's right. She'd never be able to leave anyone behind; she'd proven that before. Actually, more than a couple of times.

Tony Stark has posed:
    He reaches out and boops her nose with a smile, "Don'tcha hate when logic wins? I'm thinking something a bit stylish, more streamlined then my suits since you won't be packing such heavy armor and weapons. You'll have to have the repulsors since they're what let it fly, but if you're not comfortable with anything else, we can leave it at that. Maybe at some point we'll play with something non-lethal like a taser, but let's start really basic."

    He nods and hops off the table edge to his feet. "Ok, first step is your choice, you can either strip down to your underwear, or pop upstairs and put on your yoga outfit. Either way, we need to get exact measurements to start designing your suit. And think about colors you like, cause red and gold is taken."

Pepper Potts has posed:
Pepper wrinkles her nose at the affectionate gesture, and laughs. "Yes, yes I do." She reaches up to take his hand to hold it only for a few heartbeats. Contact is nice. "Flying.." she repeat slowly. "I don't think I'll be able.." but, yes, she's got a tutor, and now, she's never alone. Not when she has him.

She exhales in a short breath and retakes her water, both hands holding it lightly between them. "I think I should get changed," she murmurs softly, the affectionate smile easily reaching her eyes. "So you can focus on your work." Is that a purr? She steps forward, moving briefly into his 'personal space' to offer, "I'll be right back."

Yoga outfit it is! Sports bra and lycra leggings!

Tony Stark has posed:
    He gives her hand a little squeeze before releasing it, "You'll like flying, I think, once you get the hang of it." He grins at her measurement choice and says "Yeah, you can be very distracting when you put your mind to it." Since she came into his space, he takes the opportunity to kiss her again. "Right, go change and I'll get things set up here."

    Even as she turns towards the door, he's started giving commands. "HOMER, break out the measuring drones and open a new file for Pepper. This will be a full first fitting, so make sure everything is calibrated."

Pepper Potts has posed:
Pepper returns the kiss, and there's that linger to it before she's headed back upstairs to change. It's not long before she returns, the black lycra top formly fitting, showing off her curves and the fact that she does, indeed, work out. Yoga, time in the gym with Happy, running... healthy, but for that softly glowing blue reactor in the center of her own chest. She's still //very// much aware of it, and how out of place it seems, or must seem. Her leggings are also modeled to her legs; in all, the form and figure of one lovely red head.

"It's all shielded, right?" The hum of the machinery has been tolerable. Tony's energy, the warm feel to it is a constant reminder of his presence, and his love. But, she's suddenly concerned, "It won't hurt?"

Tony Stark has posed:
    He shakes his head, "Not a bit. It's just drones with laser measuring devices. I actually have them check me every month in case I've neglected to exercise or something, I prefer not to have to stuff myself into the armor." He points to an open area "Just go ahead and stand there. HOMER, you're up."

    Once Pepper is standing in the right spot, 6 small drone start circling her. The lasers are infrared, but she can sense their energy at a very low level, no worse than sitting in front of her computer. As the drones flit around her, a holo image forms beside her. Once finished, it's like a 3d model of her without texture, just her shape.

    "There, all set. Now we can design the armor around that form and it'll fit like a second skin." The drones return to their docking station as he says "HOMER, begin armor design over the Pepper figure. Just the inner layer for now, we'll get to the actual systems later."

    "See? Nothing to worry about. Thanks to my sometimes painful trial and errors, you get the benefit of the finished system." He takes a drink from his water bottle. "Oh, another thing to think about while deciding on the colors is a name for your suit so I don't have to say 'Pepper's armor' everytime I want HOMER to do something."

Pepper Potts has posed:
Pepper stands where indicated, a smirk on her face when he comments regarding any potential weight gain on his part. "You're fine," she counters. She'd know, after all!

Watching the drones, well, her expression is actually one of wonder as the thought of armor sinks into her conscious mind, moving from the 'concept'. It's happening! Green eyes are wider, and as they finish their measurements and run through, she is free to step down soon after. "That's.." strange? Surreal? She crosses the short distance from her spot to stand beside Tony as her form begins to take form, and HOMER begins to follow Tony's request. "Blue, I think." She does look amazing in blue. "Is that okay?"

Tony Stark has posed:
    Tony nods, "Blue is fine, you always look great in it. HOMER, overlay Pepper's armor with a streamlined shell and color it a royal blue." He looks back to her as the model updates, asking "Do you want single color, or a two-tone like mine? And does that blue work, or would you like a different shade?"

    The virtual mannequin standing beside her is now encased in a streamlined shell with the aforementioned shade of blue tinting it. It does look like it will fit like a second skin, as it reflects her figure exactly, clearly showing that the person wearing this armor is a woman.

    "Between the color and the appearance, I think it's safe to say nobody will mistake you for me unless they're blind. Ok, give it a three sixty look, see if there's anything you want to change about it. You know how many suits I've run through because I design it for a job and then realize it's got flaws elsewhere. This one should be a fairly generic suit since we're basically just trying to keep you from getting hurt and letting you get away from a bad situation."

Pepper Potts has posed:
It's very strange, and perhaps the strangest feeling yet since she's come to Stark Industries, seeing that virtual mannequin 'standing' beside her. Pepper rouses from her own internal dialog to look at it critically, her eyes following from the feet to the top of the head. "Royal blue is fine, I think. Just one color." There's a frown that creases her features, though; there is absolutely no mistaking it for any form but a woman's. "Am I really that --"

Guh. Funny what a perfectly rendered 3D model can do to one's self-perception. "I think it'll be fine."

'Fine'.

Tony Stark has posed:
    Tony chuckles then nods, "Mmm-hmm, you are 'that'... After all, you do work out all the time. It tends to enhance the curves you already have. Unless you're working out as a powerlifter, in which case you just get a little bit scary." Despite the utter lack of need to do so, he glances up at the ceiling as he says "Ok HOMER, add in all the control systems, give it light armor and the normal battery of sensors, then program it into nanites."

    He looks over to Pepper again and asks "What do you want it installed into? I think you've seen most of mine at this point, built into clothing, jewelry, just about anything you can think of. And since I have a hint about women and accessories, we can make more than one so you have something to go with every outfit."

Pepper Potts has posed:
Pepper slouches just a little in response and chuffs a soft laugh, "Oh..". That's more an utterance than an actual reply. "Okay." The ghosted smile lingers beyond that as she just watches him briefly. She's completely in his domain, this workshop, this 'world' of his that he's so carefully created. Suits, technology... only a few select people have ever been here, or will.

"That you do," have a hint about women and accessories! "I like a nice watch, I think." Cartier? A girl has taste and style, after all. "Or a bracelet that doesn't look out of place when I'm out jogging?" Pepper's honestly considering. "I don't wear anything else consistently." She switches earrings, rings and necklaces depending upon her outfit of the day. Now that it's getting set up, Pepper can lean against the table once again, her head cocked. "Do you think I'll ever need it?" It's a serious question, one born of concern. Still, the entire concept of 'using' it is still beyond.

Tony Stark has posed:
    "It's ok to be a little scared about something this new to you, but think about it... if you had this suit during the UN attack, not only would you not have gotten injured, but you probably could have protected more people. Of course, if you didn't get hurt you wouldn't have the Node to power the suit, so we're veering dangerously into inception territory, but you know what I mean."

    "Why don't we go upstairs and you can browse some watches or other jewelry that you wouldn't mind having on you all the time. I'll have chef whip us up some dinner and we'll call it a day. I can finish up down here tomorrow." He offers his hand to her and heads for the door.

Pepper Potts has posed:
Ultimately, Pepper does have a protective streak a mile long. Most of that is for Tony; she'd go to the ends of the earth for him, and beyond. For others, well, apparently it's present as well, as the UN attack showed. Little things about herself that proves she's still learning. "I am not going to go around and around on that." While Tony has his own nightmares, so does she. Safety in each others' arms is the best cure, in her opinion.

Taking hold of Tony's hand when offered, she steps in close and allows herself to be led back upstairs. "Dinner sounds perfect," and the shopping for watches and 'other jewelry'? Nice to not be constrained to a budget. "I definitely want your input on jewelry." He hasn't given her a bad piece yet! Earrings, necklace... her favorite possessions.

"And I can bore you with the details of the day while we shop." Sounds like a perfect night in!